First Commercial-Scale NC Wind Farm Moves Forward

Plans for the Desert Wind Energy Project, a 300-megawatt wind energy farm in North Carolina, have moved into the next phase after the proposal saw little public opposition. Previous proposals for wind turbine construction have been strongly opposed, but the Desert Wind Energy Project is planned for sparsely populated farmland, rather than tourist destinations. The wind farm now awaits permit from several government agencies.

The $600 million Desert Wind Energy Project near Elizabeth City in Pasquotank and Perquimans counties would be the state’s first commercial-scale wind farm and one of the biggest in the nation. It would generate enough electricity to power between 55,000 and 70,000 homes.